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Sew a Simple Waist Apron

Aprons were a necessity for the Regency Country wife. No other item could be as practical both for keeping precious gowns clean, but also for drying the hands (or tears) of the young ones, and even for gathering produce! Mrs. Austen is said to have dug her own potatoes in the Chawton Gardens wearing a “laborer’s smock” over her gown to protect it from the dirt.

This simple waist apron is adapted from VintageApronPatterns.com and will provide you with a charming apron like that worn by Jane Austen (Anne Hathaway) in Becoming Jane.

Waist Apron Body:
Turn top down 1/4 of a inch to the inside,press, turn again and sew down close to the pressed edge.

Do the same for the hem, then to both sides of the apron body.You now have your apron body completed.

Tie:
Do this if you are using the fabric for your tie.

Take 2 of the cut out tie pieces and with right sides together sew the 3 inch width, use a 3/8 inch seam. Do this to both. You will now have 2- 90 inch long ties.(approx)

Ties continued:
On each tie press the long edges under 1/4 of an inch to the inside. Press the short ends under the same 1/4 inch and also to the inside.

Now place the tie lengths wrong sides together, pin and sew close to the edge the entire length as well as the ends. Make adjustments here so the ties are laying neatly on each other before you start to sew.

Waist Apron Body Top Edge:
Run a gather stitch by hand. Draw the gathering stitch until you apron is 17-20 inches wide.

Fold your Apron Body in half to locate the center, mark.

Fold your tie or ribbon in half to locate center.

Place the center of the tie at the center apron body marking-remember this is your tie so keep this at the very top edge of the body piece.

Looking at the inside of your apron, smooth the gathers down so that it will be as smooth as possible after you are done attaching the tie or ribbon.

Get it all smoothed out at the inside, check your measurement many times to make sure you are maintaining the 17-20 inches, also make sure that you will have the same length of ties on both ends by checking the center of your tie.

Pin tie in place and slowly sew on both the top edge and the lower edge.

This pattern requires a sewing machine and white thread, a 10×10″square of cloth, a yard and a quarter of lace, and about two yards of medium (1/2″) width ribbon.

Cut a 10×10″ square of fabric.

Sew lace all around the edges on the right side of the material. Turn over.

Fold the square in half so that the right side is facing up, Iron or finger press the fold flat.

Sew a line of stitching 1/2″ from the fold all the way across, leaving a casing.

You should have an opening at the bottom of the fold, thread a 12″ piece of ribbon through it.

Cut the remaining ribbon in half. Place one piece between the layers of fabric and lace on the one of the short sides of the fabric. Sew a seam over the entire end to keep the layers together and secure the ribbon in place. Repeat on the other end.

Gather the ribbon on the opposite side, knotting it and then tying it into a bow to make the back of the bonnet.

This pattern for a Regency Baby Bonnet by was adapted from one created by Jo, from Maryland.

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